Stockman not running for re-election, will challenge Cornyn

Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, second from right, participates in a mock swearing-in ceremony with Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, for the 113th Congress on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 in Washington.

Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, second from right, participates in a mock swearing-in ceremony with Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, for the 113th Congress on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 in Washington.

Photo: Evan Vucci / AP Photo

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Congressman Steve Stockman and GOA Executive Director Larry Pratt paused for this quick photo on Thursday as Stockman rushed off to file the first pro-gun bill of the 113th Congress. Rep. Stockman introduced H.R.35 to restore safety to America's schools by repealing federal "Gun Free School Zones". less

Congressman Steve Stockman and GOA Executive Director Larry Pratt paused for this quick photo on Thursday as Stockman rushed off to file the first pro-gun bill of the 113th Congress. Rep. Stockman introduced ... more

Rep. Steve Stockman, a conservative firebrand who has been dogged by ethical questions and campaign debt, withdrew as a candidate for re-election Monday and instead filed as a Republican challenger to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

The filing gives Cornyn the Tea Party challenge in the Texas Republican primary that he long sought to avoid in a state where the GOP electorate has moved increasingly to the right.

Stockman has prided himself on being one of the most conservative members of Congress. Soon after arriving, he refused to suport Rep. John Boehner for Speaker of the House, voting only “present.” He has also called for the impeachment of President Barack Obama.

But the incumbent senator has a huge financial advantage. Cornyn’s campaign committee in September reported nearly $7 million in cash on hand.

“Endorsed by Texas Right to Life and ranked as the 2nd most conservative senator in America, Sen. Cornyn looks forward to discussing his conservative record with Texans,” campaign manager Brendan Steinhauser said in a statement.

Stockman, R-Friendswood, has been the subject of controversy surrounding his personal financial disclosure in the U.S. House and his campaign finances in the 36th Congressional District of Texas.

The turn of events just minutes before the candidate filing deadline on Monday caught even party officials by surprise.

An aide for Stockman walked into GOP headquarters in Austin and “withdrew his application for 36 and submitted a new application for U.S. Senate,” said GOP spokesman Spencer Yeldell. “Until then it was a pretty laid-back day.”

Cornyn, who ranks second in the GOP Senate leadership, appeared headed toward the primary without serious opposition.

Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Friendswood.

Stockman is one of a half-dozen Republican candidates challenging Cornyn. Most are all but unknown. Some of the candidates and Tea Party groups have criticized Cornyn for not being as conservative as Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.

Cruz led a revolt in the Senate this year over President Barack Obama’s signature health care initiative. The revolt led to a government shutdown that divided the nation.

Cornyn distanced himself from the shutdown but has tamped down suggestions of discord between himself and Cruz, who has appeared on the presidential campaign circuit in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Cruz has declined to endorse Cornyn, or any other Republican, in the primary.

Cornyn took a similar stance last year when Cruz knocked off Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, considered the GOP favorite, in the race to replace Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Hours after Stockman filed his Senate candidacy, the Cornyn campaign released a statement and included three recent Houston Chronicle stories about Stockman’s campaign debt and disclosures.

The Chronicle stories:

Showed that the Clear Lake Republican’s House campaign has been notified by the Federal Election Commission of dozens of potential problems with its filings in 2012 and 2013 including misreported donations, late or missing filings of required reports.

Revealed that Stockman’s personal financial disclosure to the House Ethics Committee was filed nearly a year late, and failed to disclose some assets and business affiliations, as required by federal law. The disclosure also failed to fully identify the source of $350,000 in income that Stockman claimed in 2011 and 2012.

Meanwhile, a crowded field will vie for Stockman’s 36th District House seat.

The Republicans are John Amdur of Houston; Phil Fitzgerald of Hull; Chuck Meyer of Lumberton; Doug Centilli, hometown unlisted, believed to be the chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands; and Dave Norman of Webster.

The Libertarians are Robb Rourke of Deer Park and Rodney Veach of Pasadena.

Michael Cole, an educator from Orange, will run unopposed in the Democratic primary on March 4.

Brady himself will face Craig McMichael.

Candidate filing with the Texas Secretary of State closed Monday. Early voting begins Feb. 18, 2014 for the March 4 party primaries that will determine who represents the parties in the Nov. 4 general election.